English First Additional Language - Term 2 - Week 3

Think about someone you know in your community—maybe Sipho, who always helps neighbours during load-shedding, or Lerato, who stands up for friends at school. In stories, characters are like real people: their actions, speech, and choices show us who they are. For example, in a story set in Soweto, a character who shares their last loaf of bread during a taxi strike reveals generosity. To identify character traits, look at what the character does (actions), what they say (dialogue), and what others say about them. A common mistake is to only describe what happens, not what it shows about the character. Instead, always connect actions to traits. For instance, “Thandi gives her lunch to a hungry classmate. This shows she is caring.” When you read, ask yourself: what does this action reveal about the person? This habit will help you in both class discussions and exam answers.

Imagine watching a Banyana Banyana match and noticing how teamwork leads to victory. That’s a theme: a big idea the story explores, like teamwork, hope, or overcoming hardship. In South African stories, themes often relate to real issues—unemployment, family, or resilience. To find the theme, ask: What lesson or message does the story give? For example, if a character in Mthatha keeps trying despite setbacks, the theme might be perseverance. Don’t confuse theme with topic—the topic is what happens (e.g., a minibus taxi ride), while the theme is the deeper message (e.g., unity in diversity). Another way to spot a theme is to look for repeated ideas or problems that affect more than one character. If several people in the story help each other during tough times, the theme could be community support.

When answering exam questions, you must support your points with quotations from the story. Imagine you’re in a debate at school in Polokwane—you can’t just give your opinion; you need proof. In literature, a quotation is your proof. For example, if you say Ahmed is brave, quote his words or actions: “Ahmed said, ‘I will not run away.’” Always use quotation marks and copy the words exactly. A common error is to paraphrase instead of quoting. Fix this by choosing a short, powerful line from the text. Remember, quoting well can earn you extra marks in NSC Paper 2. Examiners look for evidence that you have read and understood the story, so quoting directly shows you are not just guessing. Also, make sure your quotation matches the point you are making—don’t just pick any line from the story.

In the matric exam, Paper 2 asks questions like: ‘Discuss how the theme of hope is shown in the story. Support your answer with evidence.’ These questions are usually worth 3–5 marks. To score full marks, answer in full sentences, make a clear point, and support it with a quotation. For example: ‘The theme of hope is shown when Thandi says, “Tomorrow will be better,” showing her optimism despite hardship.’ Don’t just retell the story—analyse it. A common mistake is to write too much summary and too little analysis. Focus on what the character’s actions mean and how they link to the theme. If you are asked for two points, make sure you give two different examples, each with its own quotation. Practise writing answers that are direct, clear, and focused on the question.

Step 1: Read the extract: 'Sipho waited for the minibus taxi, even though it was late because of load-shedding.' Step 2: Ask, what does Sipho’s action show? He is patient. Step 3: Write your answer: 'Sipho is patient. He waits calmly for the taxi despite the delay.' Step 4: Support with a quotation: 'He waited for the minibus taxi.' Final answer: 'Sipho is patient. This is shown when “he waited for the minibus taxi, even though it was late.”' Sanity check: The answer links action to trait and uses a quotation.

Step 1: Read the question: 'Explain how the theme of community is shown in the story.' Step 2: Find an example: Lerato shares her lunch with a classmate. Step 3: Write your point: 'The theme of community is shown through Lerato’s actions.' Step 4: Add a quotation: 'She broke her sandwich in half.' Step 5: Link to theme: 'This shows people support each other.' Final answer: 'The theme of community is shown when Lerato “broke her sandwich in half” to share with a classmate, showing support.' Sanity check: The answer explains, quotes, and links to the theme.

Question: What trait does Ahmed show when he helps an elderly neighbour carry groceries during a taxi strike? Let’s think: Ahmed is helping someone in need, even when it’s hard. He could have stayed home, but he chose to help. This tells us something about his personality. Model answer: Ahmed is helpful. This is shown when he helps his neighbour carry groceries during a difficult time. His willingness to assist, despite the inconvenience, shows he is considerate and community-minded. Now you try: What trait does Thandi show when she stands up to a bully at school? Answer: Thandi is brave. She stands up to a bully, showing courage and a sense of justice.

Question: How does Sipho’s action of sharing his last R10 with a friend show the theme of generosity? Let’s think: Sharing money when you have little shows true generosity. Sipho could have kept the money for himself, but he chose to help his friend. Model answer: Sipho’s action shows the theme of generosity because he gives his last R10 to help a friend, even though he needs it himself. This sacrifice highlights the importance of caring for others in tough times. Now you try: How does Lerato’s action of organising a study group during load-shedding show the theme of resilience? Answer: Lerato’s action shows resilience because she finds a way to keep learning despite challenges. She adapts to the situation and encourages others not to give up.

1. Name two main characters from the story and write one sentence about each of their roles. 2. List one trait for each character and explain briefly how you know this from the story. 3. Find a short quotation that shows one character’s trait, and write one sentence about what it reveals.

1. Explain how a character’s action develops the theme of hope, using a specific example from the story. 2. Quote a line that supports your answer and explain why it is effective. 3. Describe how the setting (e.g., Soweto during load-shedding) affects the characters’ choices and behaviour, giving at least one example.

1. Analyse how two characters respond differently to the same problem, using evidence from the text for each. 2. Justify which character better represents the story’s theme, using at least one quotation as support. 3. Write a short paragraph answering an NSC-style question: ‘Discuss how the theme of unity is shown in the story. Support your answer with a quotation and explain its significance.’

• Describe what happens in the story
• Explain how the character’s actions reveal their personality
• Summarise the setting
• List all the characters’ names

Answer: Explain how the character’s actions reveal their personality

Analysing a character means looking at their actions and words to understand their traits, not just describing events. Many learners confuse analysis with summary, but analysis always answers 'why' and 'how'.

• Taxi strike
• Generosity
• Ahmed
• Polokwane

Answer: Generosity

A theme is a big idea like generosity, not a place, event, or character name. Taxi strike is a plot event, Ahmed is a character, and Polokwane is a setting.

• To fill space
• To show you read the story
• To support your point with evidence
• Because the teacher says so

Answer: To support your point with evidence

Quotations prove your answer is based on the story, not just opinion. Examiners want to see direct evidence from the text to back up your claims. If you only give your opinion, you may lose marks.

• Sipho walks home.
• Sipho is tired.
• Sipho walks home to help his family, showing responsibility.
• Sipho likes walking.

Answer: Sipho walks home to help his family, showing responsibility.

This answer connects Sipho’s action to the theme of responsibility, not just the action itself. Many learners forget to explain the significance of the action.

• Using quotation marks
• Copying the words exactly
• Paraphrasing instead of quoting
• Choosing a short quotation

Answer: Paraphrasing instead of quoting

Paraphrasing is not quoting; you must use the exact words from the text in quotation marks. Paraphrasing can change the meaning and loses marks.